2016 is here, and the video game releases don't miss a beat. Game launches hit the ground running in January, offering a wide selection of great titles across all platforms, from portable to console to PC. Be sure to take some time out from your revelry to enjoy some of January's must-own video games.

That is if you aren't stilled buried beneath December's video games. Last month's list of notable releases was thankfully small, but by no means meager. The odds are that you're still enjoying Xenoblade Chronicle's vast, sprawling alien world. Or perhaps you're cracking down on terrorism in the multiplayer first-person shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege.

That said, January kicks off the New Year with a barrage of excellent video games. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen finally hits digital shelves this month, giving PC gamers a blend of high fantasy and hard-hitting action. Super Mario fans can pick up Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam for the Nintendo 3DS, which offers classic turn-based RPG combat with timing-based action, and all new paper-inspired gimmicks.

There are quite a few promising titles launching in January, but we've limited our choices to five must-have games. We know the start of the New Year can be a tad slow, so take advantage of those vacation days this month and give our list of games a look. We've arranged our list by order of release. When you're done, swing by the comments section below and tell us what you're looking forward to in the coming months.

1
The Banner Saga

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: January 12, 2016
MSRP: $19.99

The Banner Saga is fantastic RPG based on Viking mythology. At its core, the gameplay revolves around a straightforward, chess-like combat system that is easy to grasp but nuanced enough to allow for great strategy. The Banner Saga sports beautiful cartoon-like visuals, rich lore, and great music to top it off. Released in 2014 on PC, The Banner Saga hits PS4 and Xbox One digital shelves in January.

2
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

Platforms: PC
Release Date: January 15, 2016
MSRP: $29.99

A destructive red dragon has returned to the realm of Gransys after a 50-year respite. You are unlucky enough to be cursed by the beast, and with the help of a legion of pawn soldiers, must venture across the world to slay the dragon. Dragon's Dogma features a rich combat system that blends over-the-top action with dungeon crawling and platforming. This PC port boasts vastly improved visuals and frame rate compared to the previous console releases.

3
Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster

Resident Evil 0 is a prequel to the classic Resident Evil game that follows Rebecca and Billy on their misadventures through the hellhole that is Raccoon City. Mutant experiments and undead citizens haunt the city streets and underground, and our protagonists must fight and survive to uncover the truth behind the outbreak. This remaster includes updated visuals, as well as new game modes that freshen the experience.

4
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: January 22, 2016
MSRP: $39.99

In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, the iconic Mario Bros. encounters Paper Mario, and the trio join forces to save the day. Paper Mario is a resourceful ally who can copy himself, fold into various paper craft shapes, slip into cracks, and help the Mario Bros. on their journey to defeat Bowser. Paper Mario also lends a hand in combat, introducing his own paper-style attacks to the turn-based coop action of the Mario & Luigi series.

The Lego games are always silly, light-hearted fun. Lego Marvel's Avengers follows the plots of The Avengers films and their many tie-in movies. The game also incorporates hundreds of iconic characters from across the Marvel universe. You can expect lots of Lego-inspired puzzles, platforming, and exploration as you play through the events of the films.

About the Author

Gabriel Zamora is as passionate about writing as he is about video games and electronics, and his fervor has led to game and tech article contributions in a variety of online publications including PCMag.com, Examiner.com, 2D-X.com, and Multiplayergames.com. When not criticizing the state of gaming or reviewing tech, Gabriel spends much of his time... See Full Bio

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